A

Adaptive Seating

Automatically recognizes occupant position and adjusts the seat cushions to custom-fit every individual.

Alternative Fuel

Methanol, denatured ethanol and other alcohols; mixtures containing 85% or more by volume of methanol, denatured ethanol and other alcohols with gasoline or other fuels; natural gas; liquefied petroleum gas; hydrogen; coal-derived liquid fuels; non-alcohol fuels (such as biodiesel) derived from biological material; and electricity. 'P-Series' fuels were added to this list since the original definition in EPAct.

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV)

As defined by the Energy Policy Act, any dedicated, flexible-fuel or dual-fuel vehicle designed to operate on at least one alternative fuel.

Antilock Brake System (ABS)

Automatically adjusts brake pressure to the wheels during hard braking situations to help the driver maintain steering control by reducing wheel lockup while braking on most slippery surfaces.

BAC

Backlit Controls

C

Chassis

May be used to represent 1) Entire vehicle as produced by the factory when no body is included (cab, frame, powerplant, drive line, suspensions, axles, wheels and tires); 2) Same as number 1 except excluding cab and other sheet metal; or 3) Frame only with brackets, bumper and other miscellaneous parts directly attached to the frame.

Commercial

Any vehicle that is integral to a business. These dedicated "work" vehicles make businesses run. In many cases, these vehicles are modified to enhance their ability to better serve their owners. Plumbers, construction workers or delivery drivers, for example, sometimes need a vehicle that is specially equipped for their day-to-day business operations. The volume requirements of commercial customers vary dramatically. Some customers, such as tradespeople, operate one vehicle at a time, while other customers operate several thousand vehicles.

EPA

F

FAN

Fleet Account Number

FMVSS

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards

Flash-to-Pass

Allows driver to flash high-beam headlamps as a passing signal to vehicles ahead.

Fuel-Cell Technology

An electrochemical engine with no moving parts that converts the chemical energy of a fuel, such as hydrogen, and an oxidant, such as oxygen, directly to electricity. The principal components of a fuel cell are catalytically activated electrodes for the fuel (anode) and the oxidant (cathode) and an electrolyte to conduct ions between the two electrodes.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), under the U.S. Department of Transportation, was established by the Highway Safety Act of 1970, as the successor to the National Highway Safety Bureau, to carry out safety programs under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 and the Highway Safety Act of 1966. The Vehicle Safety Act has subsequently been recodified under Title 49 of the U.S. Code in Chapter 301, Motor Vehicle Safety. NHTSA also carries out consumer programs established by the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act of 1972, which has been recodified in various Chapters under Title 49.

O

OnStar®

An in-vehicle safety and security system that provides access to advisors who can help protect you and your family while on the road. OnStar is available on most GM models. Call 1-888-4Onstar or visit onstar.com for details.

Twilight Sentinel

U

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

A department of the federal government, its mission includes the coordination and management of energy conservation, supply, information dissemination, regulation, research, development and demonstration. The Department includes the Office of Transportation Technologies.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The government agency that is responsible for protecting the environment and public health. The EPA seeks to reduce air, water and land pollution and pollution from solid waste, radiation, pesticides and toxic substances. The EPA also controls emissions from motor vehicles, fuels and fuel additives.

U.S. Department of Transportation

A government agency whose mission is to ensure a fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation system that meets the national interests and enhances our quality of life.